What makes a set of mics a matched pair?

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timboZ

timboZ

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What makes a set of mics a matched pair?

I just got 2 new mics and the graphs are almost identical.
The biggest difference is above 20k, but the other differences are less than 1/5 db.

Can I call them a matched pair?
 
Hell, you can call them them Deidre and Stanley.
 
A matched pair have to be exactly the same. Two of the same mike . I do believe the only way to be sure you have a matched pair is by buying them as a matched pair. even if u bought2 414s they prob wouldnt be the same. i hope im right. otherwise id vote for one mike to be called Fred.
 
A stereo pair should use two of the same make and model of mic if you want to get a realistic L/R representation of the source.

Cheap mic's generally need to be checked carefully since their frequency response and output levels can vary a lot from unit to unit.

High quality mic's generally have quality control good enough that mic's of the same make and model will be consistent in those aspects.

Manufacturers' graphs and spec sheets are notoriously inaccurate. And they don't usually include things like transient response and off-axis frequency response, which are critical aspects in stereo pair use.

Tim
 
I say dont worry about it ....and just use whatever sounds good...if its two of the same mic and they sound alittle different...which they shouldnt...i havent heard to many similar mics that sound noticably different unless ones broken hahaha.....but whatever i wouldnt worry about it to much.
 
i kinda agree with janesaid.....the difference shouldnt be that obvious but that doesnt mean their matched....now you can lie and no one would know the difference until they tested the mics.
 
TimboZ, what types of things are you going to record with a pair?

Tim
 
Timothy Lawler said:
TimboZ, what types of things are you going to record with a pair?

Tim
Click to expand...
The main thing I was going to use the new mics (CAD M179) on is a symphony.

I was going to start another thread on this but you asked.....

I plan on using a decca tree with the CAD M197's on the L and R.
Not sure what to use as the center mic. The other condenser mics I have are.

SDC KEL HM1 (2)
Oktava MK-102 (2 cardio and 1 omni)
Superlux PRA-268ah (2)
Ber...... EMC8000 (2)

LDC
AKG C3000 (2)
MXL 2003 (2)
GrooveTube GT-55 (1)
Oktava MK-319 (1)

Also the room is very live. What pattern should I have the M179's in Omni, Hyper Cardio, Fig 8.

I was thinking of using the cardio setting on the CAD's and the GrooveTube GT-55 for the center mic.
Any suggestions!

Thanks
TimboZ
 
Ahhhhh. I didn't get from the original post that the mic's in question were the same model.

Decca tree is a pretty complex setup. Has peculiar requirements for the high freq directionality of the L and R mic's, which are traditionally omni's. I know a couple of the high end manufacturers make spheres that go over the mic capsules to assist in this, but those are for smaller diaphragm mic's than the 179. I've also heard of variations on the config using various types of mic patterns, so whatever works...

the DPA mic site has a nice article on Decca tree.

If it were me I think I'd also track a pair of small diaphragm condensers in ORTF just in case the Decca tree didn't come out as hoped.

Good luck.

Tim
 
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